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Purpose: Despite the growing works analyzing exercise-induced thermoregulatory adjustments through thermography, the skin temperature (Tsk) response of the same muscle groups underwent to different exercise demands has not been investigated. This study analyzed the behavior of Tsk of the same muscle groups when exercised with different demands in rowing. Methods: Eighteen men underwent three performance tests on a rowing ergometer: whole-body 2,000 m test (RTWB), upper-body (RTUB), and lower-body (RTLB) tests. In each condition, thermograms were recorded before (pre), immediately after test (post), and at 10 (REC10), 20 (REC20), and 30 (REC30) minutes post-exercise recovery. Tsk was measured at the pectoral (control body region), upper back, quadriceps, brachial biceps, and forearm. Results: Pectoral-Tsk reduced comparably in response to all testing conditions (p <.05). Upper back-Tsk decreased post (p <.001) and returned to baseline in the RTUB (REC10, p = 1.0) and RTWB (REC30, p =.128), while remained reduced in the RTLB (p <.001). Quadriceps-Tsk reduced post (p <.05) and returned to baseline in the RTWB and RTLB at REC10 (p = 1.0), remaining reduced in the RTUB during recovery (p <.05). Regarding the upper limbs, Tsk increased more markedly in the RTUB versus RTWB during the recovery period (p <.05); in the RTLB, biceps-Tsk remained below baseline over time (p <.05), whereas the forearm-Tsk was restored at REC10 (p = 1.0). Conclusion: Manipulating the muscle groups involved in rowing alters the Tsk response within equal ROI. Exercise-induced Tsk changes can reflect local hemodynamic and thermoregulatory adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared male judo combat time in international competitions between the 2016 and 2020 Olympic cycles, by weight divisions. We analysed 1380 videos of male judo combat from top 20 in the World ranking by weight division. The 2020 cycle had a lower combat time and a higher occurrence of Golden Score (GS) compared to the 2016 cycle (combat time: 2020= 206.9, 2016= 240.3 seconds; GS time: 2020= 95.1, 2016= 77.6 seconds; p˂0.001; GS occurrence: 2020= 27%, 2016= 6%; p˂0.05). The 66kg and 73kg spent the most time and the +100kg category spent the least time in the GS than the other divisions, in both Olympic cycles. However, in the 2020 cycle compared to 2016, the 66kg was the only that reduced the combat time on the GS (p= 0.002), the 81kg and +100kg had a change in the distribution of combat closure minute-by-minute [81kg(2016)= 28%, 81kg(2020)= 68% finished until the 4th minute of Regular Time; +100kg(2016)= 25%, +100kg(2020)= 50% finished until the 3rd minute of Regular Time; p= 0.003 for both]. These data must be considered when prescribing male judo training for specific performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the time-motion of the combat phases in male judo within two Olympic cycles (2016 vs. 2020). We analysed of 680 combats from belonging to two Olympic cycles (340 combats 2015–2016 and 340 combats 2019–2020). The combat phase was quantified according to a validated protocol (approach, gripping, attack/defence, groundwork, and pause). The 2020 cycle athletes spent less time in the gripping (79.7 ± 50.1 vs. 104.3 ± 54.1 seconds; p ˂ 0.001), attack/defence (7.6 ± 5.2 vs. 9.5 ± 7.2 seconds; p ˂ 0.001), and groundwork phases (33.9 ± 29.0 vs. 42.2 ± 32.0 seconds; p ˂ 0.001), and ashorter total combat time (200.0 ± 104.6 vs. 238.0 ± 94.8 seconds; p ˂ 0.001) than the 2016 athletes. Additionally, the 2020 athletes had ahigher occurrence of Golden Score (0.3 ± 0.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.2 of total combats; p ˂ 0.001), and ahigher time spent in the Golden Score (23.9 ± 53.5 vs. 4.1 ± 21.4 seconds; p ˂ 0.001). The 2016 athletes had alonger total combat time; however, the time spent on the Golden Score increased in the 2020. These results should be helpful in preparing technical-tactical training aimed at performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to compare the female cadet's judo weight divisions based on time-motion analysis. For this, participants were grouped by weight, according to the following criteria: Lighters (n = 32, ≤ 48 kg), Middlers (n = 24, > 48 kg and ≤ 63 kg) and Heavies (n = 14, > 63 kg) of four local judo championships. Time-motion analysis were observed, according to each combat phase (i.e. combat, standing combat, approach, gripping, attack, groundwork combat and pause phases). ANOVA and Bonferroni tests were used, p ≤.05. The results indicated differences between total combat phase, with heavies (109.6 ± 67.2 s) lighters (41.2 ± 25 s) and heavies (31.4 ± 27.7 s). In conclusion, female cadet training programmes should be adjusted according to their weight divisions with consideration for the temporal structure of the competitive environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the injury incidence and related factors during the World Judo Championship of 2013. For this purpose, 673 athletes (258 females and 415 males) of all weight categories have been evaluated concerning factors related to occurred injuries (severity, body area, situation, type and mechanism) in an epidemiological observational study. Concussions were identified and analysed separately for injury risk and incidence rate per 1000 A-E (athlete-exposures). ANOVA, Tukey, Chi-squared and a Logistic Regression Analysis were performed, p ≤ .05. The overall incidence rate was of 47.2 injuries. The incidence rate separated by sex was 38.0 and 52.9 for males and females, respectively. There was a higher prevalence of soft-tissue injuries (58.8%) characterised as stress injuries (36.8%) and miscellaneous traumas (42.6%), mostly occurring during being thrown (29.4%) and gripping fight (32.4%). Concerning the phases of the competition, there was a higher prevalence of injuries in the Eliminatory (54.4%) followed by the Final (20.6%). Male athletes had a prevalence of injury mechanism “contact with mat”, while an increase in the weight division was negatively associated with the incidence of miscellaneous traumas, musculoskeletal injuries and neck chokes. These risks in competitions could be minimised with prevention systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the technical-tactical analysis by time ratios between genders and weight divisions of female mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Eighty-two athletes (G1 = 21 male middleweights, G2 = 14 male lightweights, G3 = 21 female middleweights, G4 = 14 female lightweights), were evaluated using a time-motion and technical-tactical protocol. Four hundred eighty-four males and 205 female MMA rounds were analysed. Time-motion and technical-tactical variables were evaluated according to frequency of attempts and effective strikes, takedowns and submissions, as well as fighting activity time and preparatory of standing and groundwork combat. Comparing groundwork preparatory activity time G1 showed longer times than other groups (35:0 ± 1.8 s; p ≤ .002). For standing fighting activity time, G2 showed longer times than other groups (151.2 ± 72.9 s; p ≤ .001). G2 displayed longer times between actions during standing [p = .003; 1: 32.5 (17.8; 74.8)] and groundwork [p ≤ .003; 1: 30.0 (9.0; 52.0)] than G3. In conclusion, G1 and G2 showed longer groundwork and standing actions than G3 and G4. In standing and groundwork actions, G2 presented longer time between striking actions than G3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the polymorphisms RR, XX and RX of the ACTN3 gene among rowers with different race strategies across competitive levels and weight categories. We evaluated 137 rowers divided into: male non-elite openweight (n= 23), male elite openweight (n= 33), male non-elite lightweight (n= 31), male elite lightweight (n= 13), female non-elite openweight (n= 9), female elite openweight (n= 9) and female non-elite lightweight (n= 15), female elite lightweight (n= 4). The main results indicated that rowers who adopted starting/early (within the initial 500 m) or finishing/late (within the final 500 m) strategies exhibited similar ACTN3 genotype frequencies, while fewer athletes who adopted moderate (within the middle 1000 m) pacing strategies were categorised with the ACTN3 XX (8%) genotype as compared to the RR (50%) and RX (42%) genotypes (p= 0.002). Elite openweight male rowers with the ACTN3 RR more frequently preferred moderate pacing strategies (p= 0.006), while non-elite lightweight male athletes with ACTN3 RR more frequently preferred starting/early pacing strategies (p≤ 0.001). Therefore, rowing athletes with specific ACTN3 genotypes may adopt unique race pacing strategies, while no differences were shown by competitive level or weight category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to realise an objectivity performance analysis based on technical–tactical actions in different MMA spatiotemporal phases (i.e. keeping distance, clinch and ground combat), and to estimate the extent to which technical–tactical actions in different combat phases could increase the probability of winning. The sample was composed of 1,752 rounds of 584 UFC bouts (Winning vs. Losing) from 67 events in 2013 and 2014. Technical–tactical actions during spatiotemporal changes (i.e. keeping distance, clinch and ground) were observed, according to frequency of attempted and landed strikes (separated in leg, body and head orientations), takedowns, chokes, locks and submissions. Wilcoxon was applied to compare outcomes, and a logistic regression analysis was used to confirm the effects of technical–tactical actions on the dichotomous performance (losing vs. winning),p ≤ .05. The main results showed significant differences in all spatiotemporal changes, except for head and leg strike attempts while keeping the distance. The performance probability was 69.6% for outcomes, 64.5% for winning vs. 74.7% for losing. Furthermore, when verified the Wald’s criterion, it is possible to corroborate that Head Strikes Landed Keeping Distance, Offensive Passes and Takedowns Landed were the most significant variables, which contributed to probability of predicting winning bouts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background:The increase in obesity, especially the increase of visceral fat, has been directly associated with health risk. Additionally, a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (0.5) has been proposed as an indicator of early health risk. Aims:To test the association between anthropometric measurements and inflammatory mRNA expression and to evaluate the effectiveness of WHtR to predict inflammatory risk in children. Subjects and methods:Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were collected in 94 Brazilian children (46 boys) aged 9–11 years. Children were identified as being at inflammatory risk based on cytokine mRNA expression levels at and above the 75th percentile. Inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression levels were determined through buff-coat using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and WHtR showed moderate-to-strong association with inflammatory cytokine mRNA gene expression. WHtR = 0.51 was the most accurate cut-off point in distinguishing children at inflammatory risk. Compared with children with WHtR <0.51, children with a WHtR ≥0.51 presented an odds ratio of 2.643 (95% CI = 1.749–3.994) for both diagnosed IL-6 and MCP-1 above the 75th percentile and 2.796 (95% CI = 1.802–4.338) for TNF-αabove the 75th percentile. WHtR = 0.50 presented the same values of sensitivity and odds ratio and ∼7% lower specificity compared to WHtR = 0.51. Conclusion:Anthropometric measurements have shown a moderate-to-strong association with the mRNA expression of inflammatory genes and a WHtR of 0.5 could serve as a cut-off point, suggesting increased risk of inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present article briefly reviews the weight loss processes in combat sports. We aimed to discuss the most relevant aspects of rapid weight loss (RWL) in combat sports. Methods: This review was performed in the databases MedLine, Lilacs, PubMed and SciELO, and organized into sub-topics: (1) prevalence, magnitude and procedures, (2) psychological, physiological and performance effects, (3) possible strategies to avoid decreased performance (4) organizational strategies to avoid such practices. Results: There was a high prevalence (50%) of RWL, regardless the specific combat discipline. Methods used are harmful to performance and health, such as laxatives, diuretics, use of plastic or rubber suits, and sauna. RWL affects physical and cognitive capacities, and may increase the risk of death. Conclusion: Recommendations during different training phases, educational and organizational approaches are presented to deal with or to avoid RWL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract is presented of the article "Judo Combat: Time-Motion Analysis and Physiology" by Emerson Franchini, Guilherme Giannini Artioli, and Josà Ciro.